Handcrafting a vibrant Arab world

A Crafty Arab is Going to Morocco {Outing}

In April 2019, I will be traveling back to magical Morroco to offer an art & cooking tour.

I am working with award winning travel agency Caravan-Serai to take friends to four northern cities. We will explore the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that will showcase how different they truly are.

Hassan Tower in Rabat, Morocco

Rabat

We will land in the capital of Morocco, called the White Imperial City, Rabat. After assistance with airport formalities, we will be driven to a group welcome lunch. We will then check into a riad for the evening. A riad is a type of traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. Rabat has a rich, long history and we will learn about it in art guided tours of the colonial architecture left behind, along with a culinary tour of coastal influences in a group cooking class. Local sights include Hassan tower, the splendid Mohamed V Mausoleum, the Kasbah of Oudayas and the Medina.

Chouara Tannery Fes, Morocco. Softening liquid on top and dye on bottom.

Fes

Three days are devoted to the sightseeing of Fes, the Medieval City, the most ancient cultural and spiritual city of Morocco. This medieval marvel has been frozen in a time capsule and houses the world’s oldest university, Karaouine Mosque, a World Heritage site. Art guided tours include a visit through the old medina to see different craftsmen still operating in the old oriental traditions in Fes El Jdid and the Jewish district. We will also visit the historic Nejjarine Musuem of Wooden Arts & Crafts and Batha Museum to learn about geometric patterns that make this area unique. Hammam options will also be made available for anyone interested in experiencing a private treatment. We will have an evening cooking demonstration of Amazigh & Tunisian influences, as Fes cooks are considered the country’s most elegant & gifted.

Chefchaouen, Morocco. A typically blue-rinsed hamam, bath house.

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is called the Blue City and is tucked away high in the Rif mountains. It remained shut off from the world for almost 500 years, forbidden to Christians until 1920. Now its narrow, labyrinthine streets, decked in shades of blue buildings with red tile roofs, are open to all. Its relaxed easy atmosphere is a strong contrast to the bustling bigger city life. The art tour will include historical visits to the Medina to relax along the Plaza Uta Hammam. We will learn about the influences of the neighboring Andalucían in the unusual octagonal tower of the Grande Mosque, visit the kasbah, & enjoy the Ethnographic Museum, stopping for moment to enjoy the breathtaking views it offers. We will visit the falls of Ras El Maa, and delight in a cooking demonstration of Mediterranean influences.

Tétouan

Tétouan, sometimes called the White City or The Daughter of Granada is also situated in the Rif Mountains and was built by Muslim refugees from Spain in the 15th century. It is one of only two Moroccan Mediterranean port cities and is known for its craftsmanship and musical gracefulness. We will tour the Hispano-Moorish influence in the architecture of the Medina, a Unesco world Heritage site. We will also explore Tétouan’s culinary influences from local Amazigh, Andalusian and Ottoman cuisine, brought by Algerian immigrants, in a cooking demonstration.

Rabat

On our last day, after a group goodbye breakfast, we departure from Rabat–Salé airport for our return flight.

Details

Accommodation will be at authentic Moroccan bed & breakfast riads. Local chefs will be doing one cooking demonstrations with all local ingredients in each of the four cities to showcase the diversity of Moroccan cuisine. Tours are accompanied by an art guide, with an M.A. in International Studies, specializing in the Middle East and Museology, from the University of Washington, who has recently traveled to Morocco.

Included in your tour:
• 9 nights’ accommodation in bed and breakfast riads
• 4 cooking demonstrations showcasing the diversity of Moroccan food
• Air conditioned minibus with a qualified driver at disposal every day
• English speaking art guide at disposal every day
• Entrance fees to monuments and museums with {exterior} visit of mosques
• English speaking Islamic geometric art lesson
• Full booking assistance with award winning agency
• Taxes

Not included in your tour:
• All personal extra purchases of gifts, clothing, etc
• Lunches and dinners not included in cooking demos
• Drinks during the meals, mini bar, etc
• Tips for guides and drivers
• Travel insurance
• Airline tickets

The total price for the trip is $2200. If you are interested in joining us, please call 206-545-7300 to talk to a travel agent.
To prepare for your trip, visit these previous posts on Morocco